I Swear It Wasn't Me

The players approached him, irritation etched across their faces.

"Do you really think you can fool us just by changing your username? Why are you here? Did you forget the ruling society of this Kingdom banned you?"

John leaned back in his chair, legs propped on the table with a lazy defiance. "Relax. I'm not here to start anything."

Just then, a beautiful, petite woman entered. She wore a crisp white shirt, a black vest, a bowtie, and a skirt. Without sparing him a glance, she placed a glass on the table and walked away.

'Ever since I entered this Kingdom, everyone's been giving me that same irritated look... Did I do something wrong without realizing it?' John thought.

A sudden force crashed into him—he hit the floor hard. Blinking up, he saw a towering player named KaizerKing. Dark blue hair, sharp eyes, heavy armor, with a Danger-level spear in hand.

"How dare you show your face after the society's order?!" KaizerKing sneered down at him. But John only sighed, unfazed. He got up and walked out of the pub without another word.

'Tsk. Aura minus. I thought I'd play the big shot and draw a crowd. But this Arin guy, he's got the whole Kingdom against him. Fucking hell. How am I supposed to build a society with this kind of reputation?'

He wandered through the bustling market, thoughts churning, when he bumped into someone.

"Are you okay?" he asked, turning.

She was young, beautiful. Brown hair, brown eyes, a warrior's outfit, sword on her back, scarf hiding her face.

She avoided his gaze. "I-I'm okay. It's my fault, sorry."

He smiled. "No need to apologize. I wasn't watching where I was going either."

Her eyes flicked up, then quickly away again as he extended a hand. She took it and stood.

'She looks like an amateur... maybe I should ask her to join my society.' He was just about to speak when a familiar, venomous voice rang out behind him.

"You bullshit! I thought you'd already left the Kingdom. Why are you still here?"

KaizerKing again.

"What's with your manners?" she snapped. "Don't you know how to speak to people with respect?"

The assassin beside KaizerKing looked like he was about to intervene, but KaizerKing stopped him with a gesture.

"Young lady, he's not worth your respect. If I ever find him in real life, I'll stab him to death."

She recoiled, horrified. "Why would you say something so awful?!"

KaizerKing pointed at John. "That guy bullied my friend, who had cancer. He was sensitive and couldn't take the trolling. He ended up committed su***de."

John froze. The girl gasped.

'What the... fck?! This kid, this motherf*cker is the reason someone died?!'

"And that's not all," KaizerKing continued, voice trembling. "He a***ulted my other friend. She left the game and fell into depression. She hasn't recovered even now."

The young woman stepped back. Her character's expression twisted with fury. "You fker! Criminal! M*rderer!"

She drew her sword and charged.

'W-What? I don't understand. Is this why everyone's been glaring at me? But I didn't do anything! It's that kid's fault!'

Before he could defend himself, she slashed.

Game over.

He didn't respawn. He exited instead, yanking off the VR headset. The clock on his laptop read 10 p.m. His head throbbed. He pressed a hand to his temple, breathing hard.

KaizerKing's words echoed in his mind.

He rubbed his temples. "Oh my god... What do I do now? I can't make a new account on the same device, and I'm broke. I can't afford another one. I'm screwed, in the game and real life."

He dropped onto the bed. Sleep didn't come. Just guilt.

Not his - but it didn't matter. It stayed.

---

The next day, school.

But Arin's head was still trapped in last night's chaos. The school was large and gleaming, filled with polished walls and wealth. Everyone was rich, except him.

He walked into class: a bright white room, smartboard at the front, single desks lined in rows. He slipped into the last seat, gaze fixed out the window.

'What should I do? Should I log in again? Try to find someone who'll believe me? But who would? This kid... I don't even know how far his bullshit goes.'

A hand rested on his shoulder. Arin turned. A guy his age, red-dyed hair, an expensive watch glittering on his wrist.

He draped an arm around Arin casually. "Still mad about that old hag?"

Arin blinked, confused.

The boy smirked. "And you were right, your old hag's cakes are big. Love watching her walk. I've even taken pictures of her back."

"Yesterday I... well, let's just say I was thinking about her when I did it. Your old hag is—"

Arin cut in sharply, baffled. "Who are you talking about?"

The smirk widened. "Of course. Your mom."

He pulled out his phone. "Here, let me show you."

SLAM—

Arin exploded, slamming him into the ground, eyes blazing.

"You fker! How dare you talk about my mom like that?!"

Blood splattered from the boy's mouth. Arin raised his fist again,

Suddenly, a group of students rushed in and pulled Arin back.

"Stop, Arin! Why are you beating him?!" shouted a boy with a strange hairstyle.

Arin turned his head, eyes still blazing. "This little shit talked about my mom in a fking disrespectful way!"

The boy from behind yelled, "He respects your mom more than you do!"

Arin spun around, grabbed him by the collar, eyes narrowing. "Are you messing with me right now?"

The students rushed to pull them apart as Arin's hand gripped the boy's neck.

"I'm not!" the boy shouted. "You're the one who always talks shit about your mom! You glorify her in disgusting ways! You were the one who started it! Didn't you tell us you always do that thing in your room while thinking about he—"

CRASH—

Arin hurled the boy backward, sending him tumbling into a desk.

Without another word, Arin turned and bolted out of the classroom, his mind spinning.

'Fck! Fck! Fck! What is happening?!'